CHAPTER 4

Chi Shuang frowned. “Sis, I wasn’t joking. He’s my enemy.”

Her cousin was still bubbling with excitement, holding her hands. “What enemy, Shuangshuang? You can’t say that. He seems quite sincere, and he was Liang Qian’s friend—he must be suffering even more than you.”

Good.

The more he suffered, the better.

Hopefully, these second-generation heirs still had some conscience left. In modern society, favors were more valuable than money. And what was even more valuable than favors?

Guilt.

Chi Shuang remained expressionless. “If he’s suffering so much, he can just go die. Then he won’t suffer anymore.”

Her cousin’s mouth twitched: “…”

She had almost forgotten how sharp-tongued her cousin was.

“The point is, it’s useless to dwell on it,” her cousin tried to reason. “You know, so many stories in the news talk about heroes who lost their lives saving others. Should everyone just blame the people they saved?”

“It’s not like that never happens,” Chi Shuang said calmly. “And sorry, I just happen to be one of those uncivilized people.”

“Besides,” she turned to look at her cousin, her eyes clear and piercing, “I’m not some random bystander. I was Liang Qian’s girlfriend. We were already preparing for our engagement and planned to get our marriage certificate on Valentine’s Day next year. Now, he’s dead because he saved his friend. Yes, I know no one forced him, and he did it willingly. But can’t I hold a grudge? Can’t I be angry? Can’t I hate?”

Her cousin was stunned into silence.

Suddenly, she felt a deep sadness as well.

Shuangshuang had always been the pride of their family. Whenever her dramas aired or she appeared on a variety show, their whole family would sit in front of the TV to watch.

She could still remember their parents and grandparents’ excitement—Look! Shuangshuang is on TV again! She’s a big star!

She had always been proud of her.

She would even argue with people if they said anything bad about Shuangshuang.

So, when Shuangshuang found a boyfriend like Liang Qian, she wasn’t surprised at all. It was just as natural as breathing. All of Shuangshuang’s previous boyfriends had been top-tier professionals in their fields.

So when they heard about Liang Qian’s accident, their whole family was heartbroken for days.

But eventually, they moved on.

First, because it wasn’t Shuangshuang who had died—it was her boyfriend.

And second, because no matter how good Liang Qian had been…

Shuangshuang was no less exceptional.

When something like this happens, no matter how close the relationship, how long can grief really last? In the end, life has to go on as usual.

But seeing Shuangshuang like this now, she finally realized that what Shuangshuang lost wasn’t just a boyfriend—it was her fiancé, the person she was preparing to marry.

“Jie, stop talking. Don’t worry, I’m relying on this restaurant to make a profit now. Some things we’ll figure out together.” Chi Shuang paused. “As for everything else, it’s best not to think about it.”

Her cousin sighed. “Alright then.”

The two sisters fell into silence.

Chi Shuang also wanted to find something to occupy herself with. She was truly invested in this restaurant—otherwise, she wouldn’t have come straight here the moment she stepped out.

When Meng Huaiqian arrived, he saw Chi Shuang struggling to move a large fortune tree in the restaurant’s main hall, filled with the scent of food. Her long hair was casually tied up with a hairband, with a few loose strands clinging to her fair face. She looked delicate, yet her strength was impressive.

His body reacted faster than his thoughts—he had already taken quick steps forward, ignoring the dust that dirtied his leather shoes along the way.

Rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt to his elbows, he spoke in a low voice, “Let me.”

Chi Shuang turned to meet his gaze. She didn’t hesitate, immediately letting go and stepping aside, watching him coldly as he moved the plant.

From that moment on, without needing any instructions from Chi Shuang, Meng Huaiqian automatically took on various tasks around the restaurant.

Moving plants, adjusting chairs, hanging paintings.

It was obvious that he had never done such work before—his movements were clumsy.

Her cousin stood there, dumbfounded.

Meng Huaiqian’s tailored suit was already covered in dust. A few times, she even saw his watch accidentally knock against the edge of a table, and her heart ached for him. If she wasn’t mistaken, and if the incredibly wealthy CEO Meng Huaiqian wasn’t wearing a counterfeit, that watch was worth eight figures…

Chi Shuang could glare at this living deity with hostility, but she couldn’t. So, after some thought, she went upstairs, took out an expensive set of custom teaware that Liang Qian had sent before, washed a cup several times, brewed some tea, and brought it downstairs, placing it beside Meng Huaiqian with polite words.

“Mr. Meng, the environment here is simple, and I haven’t had time to buy good tea leaves. Please make do with this. Pardon the lack of hospitality.”

But Meng Huaiqian didn’t take it right away. Instead, he looked toward Chi Shuang, who was sitting on a high stool playing with her phone.

It was clear—he wouldn’t accept it unless she nodded.

“He might not be used to it,” Chi Shuang said without looking up. “Jie, people like him don’t drink this kind of tea.”

Her cousin froze, but Meng Huaiqian accepted the cup, lowering his gaze. The white porcelain cup had a delicate frost flower on it, its pale color subtly exquisite.

“Thank you.”

He took a sip without even furrowing his brows and thanked her with perfect politeness.

Her cousin glanced at him, then at Chi Shuang. Fine, she couldn’t afford to provoke either of these two.

“You two talk,” she said to Meng Huaiqian with a smile, though her words were directed at Chi Shuang. “Shuangshuang, I’m heading upstairs to sort some materials. If Mr. Meng isn’t busy later, make sure to invite him to stay for a meal.”

She added, “Mr. Meng, Shuangshuang is straightforward and speaks her mind, but she has the kindest heart. She’s still young, please be understanding.”

She wanted to signal to Chi Shuang—after all, this was Meng Huaiqian from Aulang, at least give him some respect.

But thinking of her cousin’s stubborn personality, she swallowed the words back down.

Meng Huaiqian nodded and said calmly, “You’re too kind.”

After her cousin went upstairs, Meng Huaiqian placed the cup aside, hesitated for a few seconds, then walked steadily toward Chi Shuang. To avoid upsetting her, he deliberately kept some distance.

“If you need extra staff here, I can send some people over to help. What do you think?”

“No need.”

Chi Shuang kept her eyes on the frog, fox, and owl on her phone screen, not sparing him a glance.

Meng Huaiqian responded with a soft “hmm” and fell silent.

He had no experience interacting with women outside of business, let alone someone like Chi Shuang.

It seemed that no matter what he said in front of her, it would be wrong.

Chi Shuang lost the game round she was playing, glanced at him, and snapped, “Didn’t you say you had something important to discuss with me?”

This man clearly didn’t know how to care for others, nor did he know how to say anything pleasant, yet he insisted on showing up again and again.

And now that she had agreed to meet him, he was just standing there silently. Who wouldn’t be annoyed by that?

“I heard that your contract with Xingqi expired four months ago,” Meng Huaiqian finally said after some deliberation. “But you haven’t renewed it, nor have you signed with another company. Is there something you’re concerned about? Or do you have a company you want to join?”

Chi Shuang was slightly surprised that he had come all this way to talk about this. “Why do you care?”

What did this have to do with him?

Meng Huaiqian looked at her calmly. “If you have any concerns, you can tell me. Is it the contract or something else? Don’t worry, I can have someone negotiate for you. Just tell me what you want—what company, what kind of terms—you can name it.”

…What kind of lunatic was this?

Chi Shuang frowned and looked him up and down. “So, you’re going to negotiate for me?”

It was almost laughable. “What if I say I want to sign with Zhaoyu and get their top-tier treatment?”

After saying it, she found the whole thing ridiculous. This person was absurd—saying he had something important to discuss, only to come talk to her, a retired actress, about contracts. And on top of that, he was making bold claims that she could ask for whatever she wanted.

Meng Huaiqian didn’t know her well, so he failed to pick up on her sarcasm. Instead, he seriously considered the question.

Just as Chi Shuang was about to say, “Stop this nonsense, I’ve retired, rich lady life suits me fine,” he spoke in a solemn tone, as if discussing a major business deal.

“That might be difficult. I can’t interfere with Zhaoyu’s internal decisions so easily. After all, Zhaoyu isn’t my company, and I don’t have enough insight into that industry to meddle in their management.”

Chi Shuang: “…”

Is this guy serious?

“But.”

He lifted his eyes and met hers. “You could invest in a company or start a talent agency. Zhaoyu is an established entertainment company, and all its actors have solid credentials—they’re respected seniors in your industry. So, I lean toward the latter option.”

Chi Shuang: “?”

Is Meng Huaiqian out of his mind? Is he?